Food is a wonderful thing. It nourishes both the body and mind, giving us the energy we need to make it through our busy lives. And because of its comforting nature, many people frequently turn to food for stress and anxiety relief. This is referred to as “emotional eating.”

Do You Eat Your Emotions?chicken-stir-fry

It’s natural to indulge in a delicious brownie from time to time or to celebrate life’s big moments with decadent foods. But if you find yourself regularly going to the fridge for reasons other than hunger, you might be an emotional eater.

Do you:

  • Eat when you’re feeling stressed?
  • Frequently reward yourself with food?
  • Eat to the point of being stuffed?
  • Eat when you’re bored, sad, mad, or anxious?
  • Feel out of control when tempted with food?

Using food as a coping mechanism is an extremely common cause of weight gain. And it also makes it incredibly difficult to lose weight. But by acknowledging your compulsive eating habits, learning your triggers, and finding healthy emotional eating alternatives, you can conquer your dysfunctional relationship with food.

Emotional Eating Alternatives

When you try to make yourself feel better with food, it only works for a short time. After overindulging, you probably experience feelings of guilt and remorse. However, there are several emotional eating alternatives to stop this vicious cycle in its tracks.

Here are some healthy options you can choose when you’re triggered to emotionally eat:

Call someone you trust: If you’re feeling stressed out, talk to a close friend or family member about what’s bothering you.

Go for a walk: Physical activity can go a long way in reducing negative emotions. Go for a short, brisk walk as a way to clear your mind and relax.

Take a bath: Take some time to unwind by soaking in a warm bath at the end of a hard day. This will make you forget about those pesky cravings and offers you a healthy way to get rid of stress.

Find a new hobby: Get food off your mind by immersing yourself in something you love doing. Learn how to paint, play guitar, do yoga, join a book club, or anything else that helps bring you into the present moment.

Finding other ways to reduce your stress, anxiety, and any other negative emotions that you’re trying to get rid of with food will make it possible to reach your weight loss goals.

If emotional eating is preventing you from losing weight and feeling great, the professionals at the NYC Weightloss Solutions can help!

To schedule your free consultation please click below or call us at (212) 759-8118.

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